Aging well for me means I am in a life that includes me. I want to be seen and heard. I want to be able to do things for me.
That said, it also means being generous and kind to others, having lots of patience to listen and learn and offering my life’s wisdom and support, whatever that may entail.
Janice, as we age, and we are no longer needed by our children or in our jobs or by our friends, so looking after ourselves becomes so important. I want to still feel good and look good and do me!! And I do this without being selfish. There are things I want to do now, and so, I am!!🙂🎈
Thank you Donna. We are so needed by our partners, our kids, our Friends, our parents and when we are finally aging, I want to have a say about things. I want
My adult children to behave like adults and listen to me for a change. Not in a bossy way, but in a way that does not leave me the constant provider.
Aging well to me means learning to surrender, to accept the changes in my body, my brain, my energy and not struggling against it.
Aging well to me is choosing even one thing you love to do and do it every day - whether, cooking, walking, or just sitting in a chair reading, indulge your passions. You have earned it.
For me it’s really focused on the physical, I.e. can I walk up the steps without my knees hurting or still have good arm strength. Right now, no to both. 🥲
The answers in these comments are thought-provoking and amazing!
To me aging well would include vibrant health and, in this context, I will define vibrant as a curious, mentally sharp person who has maintained her strength and mobility. I will have a strong sense of community and connection. Aging well also means being deeply in touch with my inner self to be clear on the truth of who I am and continually work to live into that truth.
Hi Donna, Your point about being in touch with your inner self and continually working to live your truth is such an important part of this, in my view.
To me it would be my greatest desire to live fully in my truth. It is possible to be respectful to others while continuing to do this so I don’t know what stops me from clamming up and staying quiet sometimes. I’ll keep working on it.
Creative expression, meaningful productivity, giving back to others, close relationships, remaining curious, open to learning, strengthening my body, and not shying away from “healthy” risks. Like the Serenity prayer, changing what I can, accepting what cannot change, and somehow knowing the difference.
Hi Gail, The Serenity Prayer is such a good guide. I remind myself of it every day because there are things I cannot change and others I can do something about, even on a small scale.
Do something creatiive. Wake up every morning in gear, excited to see how whatever it is progressing. Paint, write, make things out of clay, stones, bones, anything. Maybe you already do, and know the excitement of seeing where you left off the day before, what you will do with it next. Cook, garden, make collages, something that has interested you before, but from a distance. You don't have to be good at it, you just have to begin. Honestly. you will wake up looking forward to progress. It keeps you involved in life. (Shopping doesmn't count, but it has been the outlet for many of us for years.) Make something. Writing about your life is always a good idea. We all have had lives. And learning something new will keep you full of life.
Hi Abigail, I love the idea of "seeing where you left off the day before and what you will do with it next." My main creative outlets are writing and art - you'r right they do keep me engaged in life.
For me it is about resilience. I work on doing all the things (exercise, eat well, stay socially connected, stretch my intellectual capabilities--I write historical mysteries - so constantly doing research as well as keep up with industry so I can market my books). But I also know that while I do my part and by those benchmarks I am aging well, that life happens, and puts a spanner in the works. For example Injury last year that made it difficult for me to type, problems with my foot that kept me from walking for months which has negative effect on my ability to exercise. Friends have crises, die, and test my emotional well-being. So for me the key is to be patient, adapt, keep doing the things that I know help, in short be resilient. And I feel my resilience means I am aging well.
Hi, in my mind, resilience plays a significant role. I don't think we can age well without it, because as you point out, life throws curves - we have to find a way to bounce back and adapt.
Aging well for me means I'm firing on all cylinders. And finding deeper meaning, eliminating the superficial, narrowing down what is really important to me, and giving my best to those who are dear to me.
I spent a lot of years doing things I thought others wanted me to do, and had a terrible bout of people pleasing for years. No more.
Finally, accepting I can't have everything and lovingly letting go when necessary.
Hi Patti, I know how that goes - doing what I thought others want me to do. I'm getting better; I said no to three people's requests yesterday. That's progress.
That I say is more than progress, hah, I'd say life changing. I just did a major turnaround round and said no to a huge opportunity. It hurts but I had to look at the entire picture to see that logistically it wasn't going to work long-term. I just can't think long-term at the moment. I need a week of easy. These last seven days have been a real bear.
To me aging well means looking after myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually so I have the energy and capacity to make the most of the second half of life and feel I am making a difference to the lives of others, for as long as possible.
Aging well or Healthy aging means to have freedom from the ravages associated with getting older - arthritis, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, or kyphosis. Freedom to be unassisted getting up from a chair or sofa, and not needing a cane, walker, or wheelchair. Freedom from not being held by my arm when walking.
Freedom from needing a hearing aid or glasses.
Freedom to travel as I continue to do so, with four cruises per year and see the sights and participate in all the physical activities such as sky diving, snorkeling, hiking, parasailing, kayaking, horse riding, and dune bugging on the beach.
Good question! For me ageing well means being engaged and interested with something outside of myself - a project, a person, a cause. Also, not letting the restrictions in my physical body cause thoughts of depression or ‘poor me’. Plus a lot of what others have said.
Keeping my brain and body both functioning well enough to do the things I want to do. Planting trees and flowers, walking dogs, reading excellent books. Those are high priorities. Add to that go to rallies and protests and marches. Try to save the world.
Aging well for me means I am in a life that includes me. I want to be seen and heard. I want to be able to do things for me.
That said, it also means being generous and kind to others, having lots of patience to listen and learn and offering my life’s wisdom and support, whatever that may entail.
Hi Mary Ann, That is among my goals: taking care of myself and being there for others.
Janice, as we age, and we are no longer needed by our children or in our jobs or by our friends, so looking after ourselves becomes so important. I want to still feel good and look good and do me!! And I do this without being selfish. There are things I want to do now, and so, I am!!🙂🎈
Mary Ann I love your comment about being seen and heard. We don't often think of that in the context of aging yet it may be the most important thing.
Thank you Donna. We are so needed by our partners, our kids, our Friends, our parents and when we are finally aging, I want to have a say about things. I want
My adult children to behave like adults and listen to me for a change. Not in a bossy way, but in a way that does not leave me the constant provider.
How will you know that you are aging well?
Living without assistance as long as possible.
You have a good role model, I think.
Aging well to me means learning to surrender, to accept the changes in my body, my brain, my energy and not struggling against it.
Aging well to me is choosing even one thing you love to do and do it every day - whether, cooking, walking, or just sitting in a chair reading, indulge your passions. You have earned it.
Hi Sharron, Acceptance is a big part of it - that's for sure.
For me it’s really focused on the physical, I.e. can I walk up the steps without my knees hurting or still have good arm strength. Right now, no to both. 🥲
Hi Nancy, I know what you mean. I can do the steps, but my knees sure complain.
The answers in these comments are thought-provoking and amazing!
To me aging well would include vibrant health and, in this context, I will define vibrant as a curious, mentally sharp person who has maintained her strength and mobility. I will have a strong sense of community and connection. Aging well also means being deeply in touch with my inner self to be clear on the truth of who I am and continually work to live into that truth.
Hi Donna, Your point about being in touch with your inner self and continually working to live your truth is such an important part of this, in my view.
To me it would be my greatest desire to live fully in my truth. It is possible to be respectful to others while continuing to do this so I don’t know what stops me from clamming up and staying quiet sometimes. I’ll keep working on it.
Creative expression, meaningful productivity, giving back to others, close relationships, remaining curious, open to learning, strengthening my body, and not shying away from “healthy” risks. Like the Serenity prayer, changing what I can, accepting what cannot change, and somehow knowing the difference.
Hi Gail, The Serenity Prayer is such a good guide. I remind myself of it every day because there are things I cannot change and others I can do something about, even on a small scale.
Do something creatiive. Wake up every morning in gear, excited to see how whatever it is progressing. Paint, write, make things out of clay, stones, bones, anything. Maybe you already do, and know the excitement of seeing where you left off the day before, what you will do with it next. Cook, garden, make collages, something that has interested you before, but from a distance. You don't have to be good at it, you just have to begin. Honestly. you will wake up looking forward to progress. It keeps you involved in life. (Shopping doesmn't count, but it has been the outlet for many of us for years.) Make something. Writing about your life is always a good idea. We all have had lives. And learning something new will keep you full of life.
Hi Abigail, I love the idea of "seeing where you left off the day before and what you will do with it next." My main creative outlets are writing and art - you'r right they do keep me engaged in life.
It's a kind of miracle of our own making, isn't it?
For me it is about resilience. I work on doing all the things (exercise, eat well, stay socially connected, stretch my intellectual capabilities--I write historical mysteries - so constantly doing research as well as keep up with industry so I can market my books). But I also know that while I do my part and by those benchmarks I am aging well, that life happens, and puts a spanner in the works. For example Injury last year that made it difficult for me to type, problems with my foot that kept me from walking for months which has negative effect on my ability to exercise. Friends have crises, die, and test my emotional well-being. So for me the key is to be patient, adapt, keep doing the things that I know help, in short be resilient. And I feel my resilience means I am aging well.
Hi, in my mind, resilience plays a significant role. I don't think we can age well without it, because as you point out, life throws curves - we have to find a way to bounce back and adapt.
Aging well for me means I'm firing on all cylinders. And finding deeper meaning, eliminating the superficial, narrowing down what is really important to me, and giving my best to those who are dear to me.
I spent a lot of years doing things I thought others wanted me to do, and had a terrible bout of people pleasing for years. No more.
Finally, accepting I can't have everything and lovingly letting go when necessary.
Hi Patti, I know how that goes - doing what I thought others want me to do. I'm getting better; I said no to three people's requests yesterday. That's progress.
That I say is more than progress, hah, I'd say life changing. I just did a major turnaround round and said no to a huge opportunity. It hurts but I had to look at the entire picture to see that logistically it wasn't going to work long-term. I just can't think long-term at the moment. I need a week of easy. These last seven days have been a real bear.
That was a tough decision to make, for sure. Hopefully, the next seven days will be kinder.
To me aging well means looking after myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually so I have the energy and capacity to make the most of the second half of life and feel I am making a difference to the lives of others, for as long as possible.
Hi Alisoun, My benchmark is similar: to contribute to the lives of others for as long as possible. If I can do that, I have aged well.
Sounds good. 😌
Aging well or Healthy aging means to have freedom from the ravages associated with getting older - arthritis, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, or kyphosis. Freedom to be unassisted getting up from a chair or sofa, and not needing a cane, walker, or wheelchair. Freedom from not being held by my arm when walking.
Freedom from needing a hearing aid or glasses.
Freedom to travel as I continue to do so, with four cruises per year and see the sights and participate in all the physical activities such as sky diving, snorkeling, hiking, parasailing, kayaking, horse riding, and dune bugging on the beach.
Hi Bill, the freedom to do - what a great descriptor for aging well.
Good question! For me ageing well means being engaged and interested with something outside of myself - a project, a person, a cause. Also, not letting the restrictions in my physical body cause thoughts of depression or ‘poor me’. Plus a lot of what others have said.
Hi Jane, I just had one of those "poor me" days, but managed to write my way through it. The result will appear in a future article.
Keeping my brain and body both functioning well enough to do the things I want to do. Planting trees and flowers, walking dogs, reading excellent books. Those are high priorities. Add to that go to rallies and protests and marches. Try to save the world.
Hi Julie, we must keep our brains and bodies functioning to continue doing those high priorities and save the world.